A new state report finds nearly all pregnancy-related deaths in Iowa in recent years were preventable. The state’s Maternal Mortality Review Committee report looked at 20 pregnancy-related deaths that occurred between 2019 and 2021 and determined 19 were preventable. Committee chair Dr. Stephanie Radke is an OB/GYN at University of Iowa Health Care and says they reviewed extensive records to determine how preventable each death could have been.
The report makes numerous recommendations for health care providers, facilities, systems and communities including better screening and care coordination efforts. Radke says the purpose of the report is to make sure Iowa is in line with national standards of care.
The report also found the deaths disproportionately affected people who are Hispanic or black as well as those on Medicaid.
